EPA allows sale of higher-ethanol gas blends to lower prices for summer driving

Published March 25, 2026 1:39pm ET



The Environmental Protection Agency is allowing the sale of higher-ethanol gasoline blends ahead of summer in an effort to ease rising fuel prices. 

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said on Wednesday that the agency has issued emergency waivers to allow E15 gasoline sales, temporarily exempting the fuel from restrictions meant to limit smog. E15 is a fuel that blends 15% ethanol with gasoline, compared with the more common E10 blend, which contains 10%. EPA’s waiver will go into effect on May 1, allowing the fuel industry to transition the fuel.

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